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Author: Herman Pieters

3 December 2020 Media Release: Garden Route COVID-19 update – 3 December 2020

Media Release: Garden Route COVID-19 update – 3 December 2020

For Immediate Release
3 December 2020
The Garden Route has seen a 26% (525) increase in cases the last seven days compared to the previous seven days. Areas of most concern are Bitou, Knysna, George and Mossel Bay. We have also noted an increase in cases in Oudtshoorn and Hessequa.
 
New cases per subdistrict in the Garden Route
Area
Active cases 14 days ago
New active cases over last seven days
Percentage increase
Bitou
226
298
32%
George
877
1 032
18%
Hessequa
48
53
10%
Kannaland
18
18
0%
 
Knysna
397
501
26%
Mossel Bay
368
481
31%
Oudtshoorn
100
176
76%
Garden Route
2 034
2 559
26%
 
Of concern is the 67 new deaths recorded over this period.
 
George Regional Hospital is currently under severe pressure, as patients from district hospitals are admitted here for more advanced health interventions. George Hospital currently has 67 COVID patients admitted of which 22 are in high care. They also have 52 staff members who are currently infected by COVID.  “The hospital is under immense pressure and we are trying to make space for as many patients as possible. We have already commissioned 3 additional wards to treat COVID-19 patients, all the while also ensuring we have capacity for other routine emergencies such as trauma cases ”, said Michael Vonk, CEO George Hospital.
The hospital uses a daily average of 2.6 tons of oxygen to treat patients, compared to the daily average of 356kg/day in May 2020 (pre-COVID-19) which is more than during the previous wave (max 2.2 tons /day).
 
Knysna Hospital is also under severe pressure. On 4 December they had 40 patients admitted. “We have opened additional wards to accommodate the increasing number of COVID patients, and have recruited additional staff to assist. We are definitely under pressure, but have effective plans in place to deal with this surge”, said Dr Andries Brink, medical manager Knysna/Bitou subdistricts.
 
Harry Comay Hospital has converted two wards into COVID wards with an additional building, which was built during wave 1, which can take 20 patients. The hospital currently has 28 patients.
 
Testing sites across the district, especially in sub-districts with rising number of cases, are also testing to capacity on a daily basis. Two additional National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) busses have been deployed to Knysna and George in an attempt to keep up with the high volumes of tests needed.
 
Areas of most concern:
Mossel Bay: KwanonQaba, Hartenbos, D’Almeida and Heiderand.
George: Themabelthu, Pacaltsdorp, Parkdene, Rosemore, Borcherds, Blanco
Knysna: Smutsville, Concordia, Khayalethu
Oudtshoorn: Bridgeton
Bitou: Plettenberg Bay
Riversdale: Albertinia
 
We urge residents to be safe this festive season. Avoid crowded places, close contact settings and areas with poor ventilation.
 
END
Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health

20 July 2020 Media Release: National Minister of Health visiting the Garden Route District

Media Release: National Minister of Health visiting the Garden Route District

For Immediate Release
20 July 2020

Pictured above, (fltr): National Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize; Executive Mayor for Garden Route District Municipality, Alderman Memory Booysen; Western Cape Government MEC for Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo; and Western Cape Government MEC for Human Settlements, Mr Tertuis Simmers.

The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, is currently visiting the Garden Route District Municipality to touch base with all the role players involved in the COVID-19 response of the Garden Route District.

The program of the day includes feedback about the health system recovery; resurgence strategy; mayoral feedback; feedback to the JOC; and hotspot strategies.

The visit will end with a site visit to the George regional hospital and the Harry Comay hospital.

3 December 2020 News Release: Holidaymakers welcome to the Garden Route district

News Release: We invite holidaymakers to the Garden Route district

For Immediate Release
3 December 2020

Many businesses and tourists have been asking if travel to the Garden Route will remain permitted during the festive season. The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) would like to allay stakeholders’ fears.

“The GRDM welcomes holidaymakers to visit the Garden Route over the upcoming holiday season,” said Alderman Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor of the GRDM.

“After months of restricted movement, it is expected that more people will flock to the Garden Route over December and January. Tourism remains one of the region’s biggest GDP contributors and job creators – the industry assists Garden Routers to make ends meet.”

“It remains important for everyone visiting the region to adhere to the COVID-19 health and safety protocols,” Booysen explained. “The GRDM observed that Garden Routers diligently adhered to these protocols during the peak of the pandemic earlier this year. This new period of mobility means that the risk of transmission will be greater and not limited to areas that currently experience a big surge in caseload.”

The Garden Route and Klein Karoo Tourism office also welcomed the Western Cape Government’s statement. “Western Cape municipalities are open for tourism this festive season, with all visitors requested to work with the authorities in curbing the spread of the Covid-19 virus,” it said.

Going forward, apart from regular handwashing and sanitising, Garden Routers are advised to keep wearing their masks when in public and to wear them properly – covering both their mouth and nose. Gatherings are best avoided, and if you must attend a gathering, the GRDM advises that you keep it short, and ensure that the room or area is well ventilated.

ENDS

2 December 2020 Western Cape Government Disaster Centre Covid-19 Alert #4

Western Cape Government Disaster Centre Covid-19 Alert #4

2 December 2020 
Disaster Centre Covid-19 Alert #4
 
Western Cape municipalities are open for tourism this festive season with all visitors requested to work with the authorities in curbing the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, says municipalities are doing everything within their power to ensure holidaymakers, visitors and locals enjoy a safe and happy festive season.

“We cannot wait to welcome visitors to our municipalities at the end of a very tough year but we are alerting people to the fact that Covid-19 numbers are increasing. And we are asking people to work with us by being responsible and doing everything they can to help reduce the risk of infection or spreading the virus.”

Bredell says the province is opposed to a lockdown and blunt measures, and needs the help of every person to reduce the numbers of infections and hospitalisations so that we can save lives and livelihoods.
“If we all work together, we can have both a happy and a safe holiday season throughout the Western Cape as well as successfully combat the spread of this virus.”

Due to the risks of Covid-19 spreading at major gatherings of people, some places in Western Cape have decided to stop all mass public gatherings until the resurgence gets under control.

This is primarily with regards to events where organisers need to apply for permits. These permits will not be granted in the Garden Route while some parts of the Central Karoo has already made public facilities unavailable for events.

However, there are still many wonderful and safe ways to enjoy all parts of our province, that will prevent the spread of Covid-19 and we encourage you to explore these exciting opportunities.

“The provincial disaster centre and our stakeholders will continue to enforce existing disaster management regulations across the province with roadblocks, blitzes and unannounced visits to high risk areas to ensure compliance over the holiday season. Our partners include national SAPS, municipal law enforcement, the departments of labour and health, to name a few.”

Bredell is also calling on visitors and locals in the province to be patient with officials and other workers in government over the coming weeks.
“Staff across the province remain under high risk of infection after a very tough year. In addition, in many hotspot areas, staff are on skeleton crews, reducing the ability to address problems promptly. We ask for patience and understanding in this regard. Problems will be addressed as soon as possible.”

Members of the public, businesses and other organisations who wish to report violations of COVID-19 protocols can do so as follows:

> Using the online complaint form available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-business-safety-complaint-form
> Dial *134*234# to report non-compliance of public transport
> For COVID-19 health related queries, the provincial COVID-19 toll-free hotline number is 080 928 4102
> For general queries, the Western Cape Government’s contact centre can be reached on 0860 142 142

ENDS

2 December 2020 Media Release: GRDM rolls out proactive disinfection activities in George

Media Release: GRDM rolls out proactive disinfection activities in George

For Immediate Release
2 December 2020

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) today, 2 December 2020, bumped up its disinfection interventions, proactively extending its activities to more areas in George. GRDM firefighters did this for Blanco (George) at spaza shops, small supermarkets, butcheries and liquor stores. Such operations were already started in April 2020 when communal toilets (taps, handles, seats and walls etc.), taxi ranks and other public spaces were frequently cleaned.

Tomorrow, 3 December 2020, disinfecting activities will continue, this time at taxi ranks and shops in Pacaltsdorp. Over the coming weekend, Thembalethu, Rosemoor and Parkdene sites will be disinfected, followed by similar activities in Protea Park, Maraiskamp, Syferfontein and Rosedale.

The fire season officially started yesterday, which means firefighters are now required to carefully plan and balance their primary roles and responsibilities with the resurgence of COVID-19. Five (5) firefighters from GRDM conducted disinfection activities today; however the number is expected to increase as more activities are rolled out to other hotspot areas.

GRDM urges the public to continue to commit to safer behaviours- wear your mask, wash your hands regularly and keep your social distance. This festive season, when shops and other areas are expect a lot of feet, remember to avoid confined spaces, close contact and crowded areas. Lastly, remember to reduce the size of gatherings, or postpone them until it is safer, take your gatherings outdoors, and at all times.

ENDS

Western Cape Government Logo

1 December 2020 Western Cape Government Disaster Centre Covid-19 Alert #3

Western Cape Government Disaster Centre Covid-19 Alert #3

For Immediate Release
1 December 2020

Some regions in the Western Cape will no longer allow public events which may lead to large numbers of people. Public facilities and venues in these regions are also no longer available to the public in ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, says at the moment the Garden Route has taken the decision to disallow all planned events in the regions until further notice.
“The region is seeing increases in covid-19 infections. In addition there is an expectation of large numbers of visitors over the next few weeks which further increases the risk of infection. This requires drastic action which we not afraid to take.”

The PDMC and its stakeholders are already enforcing existing disaster management regulations across the province with roadblocks, blitzes and unannounced visits to high risk areas to ensure compliance.

“Our work comes down to enforcing disaster management protocols to help slow down the spread of the virus in the Western Cape. We are doing enforcement with the resources at our disposal and in partnership with national SAPS, municipal law enforcement, the departments of labour and health, to name a few.”

Bredell says provincial disaster management was generally happy with the levels of compliance found on Black Friday and the ensuing weekend.

“There was a few incidents where problems were found but these were speedily addressed. We hope that similar compliance will follow in the weeks ahead,” says Bredell.

Some of the enforcement steps taken across the province to date include:

  • Black Friday Blitzes, roadblocks and visible enforcement in high risk areas.
  • George Municipality has closed all sports facilities and public venues.
  • Kannaland municipality has followed suit and closed all facilities including town halls.
  • All events in George has been cancelled and venues are unavailable for events.
  • Taverns, fuel stations on major routes and mass transportation hubs will continue to be visited to ensure compliance.
  • Municipal guidelines for camping facilities and venues where holidaymakers may find themselves is being formulated.

“The Covid Pandemic is not a sprint. It is a marathon. We are all in this marathon together and if we all work together, more of us will reach the end of this pandemic and certainly much sooner. If we don’t work together in the coming weeks, we may see the situation get increasingly worse.”

Members of the public, businesses and other organisations who wish to report violations of COVID-19 protocols can do so as follows:

> Using the online complaint form available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-business-safety-complaint-form
> Dial *134*234# to report non-compliance of public transport
> For COVID-19 health related queries, the provincial COVID-19 toll-free hotline number is 080 928 4102
> For general queries, the Western Cape Government’s contact centre can be reached on 0860 142 142

ENDS.

Media enquiries:
James-Brent Styan
Spokesperson for the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell
Mobile: 084 583 1670
Telephone: 021 483 2820
E-mail: James-Brent.Styan@westerncape.gov.za

30 November 2020 Media Release: EHPs join efforts with Hessequa Firefighters to create more COVID-19 awareness

Media Release: EHPs join efforts with Hessequa Firefighters to create more COVID-19 awareness

For Immediate Release
30 November 2020

Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM’s) Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) continue to create awareness about COVID-19 with the hope that behaviour will change. EHPs approach communities with the trust that their coordinated efforts will result in the change they want to see. In his own words, Haemish Herwels (Chief: Municipal Health, Hessequa area), says: “We cannot lose the fight against COVID-19, because if we do, we will have nothing left – no family, friends and colleagues”.

A Hessequa Firefighter doing door-to-door awareness about COVID-19.

On 21 November 2020, the EHPs from GRDM’s Hessequa sub-office, in conjunction with Hessequa Municipality’s Firefighters conducted a comprehensive awareness session in Albertinia. This included door-to-door visits in Theronsville, one of the areas where in COVID-19 active cases are surging.

During the visits, those on grassroots level reminded community members about the importance of adhering to the golden rules for the prevention of COVID-19. These include the wearing of masks, washing hands regularly, keeping a safe distance of 1.5 m from others, to avoid crowded areas, and most importantly, to protect oneself. Hessequa Municipality’s Firefighters also assisted EHPs with loud hailing to share important messages to communities.

Focus was also placed on self-monitoring of symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention should the need arise. This was important to do, as it was observed during contact tracing operations when people were unsure about signs and symptoms of COVID-19. This has left many testing only days later which could pose more risks to infecting others. It is therefore important for members of the community to contact their clinic or doctor as soon as they feel sick. Advice will be given by medical practitioners on what a person should do next.

GRDM would like to share their appreciation to Hessequa’s Firefighters for assisting in the awareness-raising campaign, in particular Ricardo Jacobs, Conray Saayman, Lenestio Nomdo and Heinrich Swart, who sacrificed their off-time to assist the GRDM team.

A reminder of important contact numbers, include:

Provincial hotline: 021 928 4102
Toll-free hotline: 080 928 4102
WhatsApp “Hi” to 0600 123 456
All lines are operational 24/7.

The above contact details are for health-related matters only.

Feature image caption: Group of Environmental Health Practitioners and Firefighters who conducted awareness in the Hessequa Municipal area.

ENDS

27 November 2020 Media Release: COVID-19 update, Garden Route

Media Release: COVID-19 update, Garden Route

For Immediate Release
27 November 2020

Over the past 7 days the Garden Route has seen a 117% increase in new COVID-19 cases and 96% increase in deaths over the last seven days and urge the residents to remain cautious and vigilant.
After recording 1 282 new cases and 25 new deaths over the past seven days, all areas in the Garden Route are of great concern. As we have seen during the first wave of infections, once community transmission is established within communities, especially in the Garden Route as a prime tourist destination, the situation can quickly deteriorate if not brought under control soon.

A closer look into the Garden Route subdistrict shows the areas where we have seen a significant increase in new cases over the past seven days:

New cases per subdistrict in the Garden Route:

Area Active cases 14 days ago Active cases seven days ago Percentage increase
Bitou 142 278 96%
George 498 995 100%
Hessequa 28 58 107%
Kannaland 0 21 2100%
Knysna 206 489 137%
Mossel Bay 189 414 119%
Oudtshoorn 37 127 243%
Garden Route 1100 2382 117%

New deaths

Area Active cases 14 days ago Active cases seven days ago Percentage increase
Bitou 6 6 0%
George 7 18 157%
Hessequa 0 4 400%
Kannaland 0 0 0
Knysna 2 3 50%
Mossel Bay 2 11 450%
Oudtshoorn 9 9 0%
Garden Route 26 51 96%

We call on the citizens of each of these sub-districts and as a collective to do their part so we can bring the situation under control again. We all have a role to play through our own actions.
Our behaviour will be influenced once we acknowledge and accept that the virus is not gone but will be with us over the holidays and beyond. Therefore, we need to remain safe and protect each other by:

  • Wearing a mask properly is of life-saving importance. You must wear your masks at all times when outside of your home. There can be no exceptions.
  • You must avoid crowded and confined spaces at all costs. This is where super-spreader events take place.
  • You must urgently reconsider hosting all non-essential gatherings of people this year, especially indoor gatherings with poor ventilation.
  • You must ensure there is good ventilation at all times whenever you’re in public. The virus droplets spread by air in confined spaces, and so fresher is better.
  • You must wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use sanitiser.
  • If you feel sick, you should not leave your home unless it is to get healthcare treatment. You must first call our hotline on 080 928 4102 for guidance on the next steps.
  • You should also not visit someone who is sick, and find other ways to provide support, like delivering a meal to a neighbour’s doorstep.
  • Every single resident should assume that Covid-19 is everywhere they go and take all the necessary precautions at every point along their journey.

END

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health

Town Clinic,Plettenberg Bay
Tel: 076 379 5423
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

.

26 November 2020 COVID-19 SAFETY: Black Friday Crowd Safety

This week will see large crowds of bargain-shoppers hitting the stores for Black Friday sales. The public must remember that this is a high-risk activity and it should be avoided if possible to prevent the spread of COVID -19.

If you must get your Black Friday deals, make sure all safety precautions are taken when entering crowds:

  • Wear your mask at all times and carry a spare mask just in case.
  • Avoid crowded and confined spaces. Time your shopping over Black Friday weekend to get into stores when crowds are not as large so you can keep a safe distance of 1.5m.
  • Try to shop online as much as possible – Black Friday deals online are just as good as in-store.
  • Sanitise! Sanitise! Sanitise! Carry your own hand sanitiser with you and use it when entering, in the store and leaving the store.

 For more COVID-19 resources in English, isiXhosa, and Afrikaans, visit:   https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/resources

Stay safe. Move forward.
Hlala ukhuselekile. Yiya phambili.
Bly veilig. Gaan voort.

UKHUSELEKO LWECOVID-19: UKHUSELEKO LWENGINGINYA NGEBLACK FRIDAY

 Kule veki siza kubona iinginginya zabantu abatheng’ izinto ezihliswe amaxabiso begxalathelana bengena ezivenkileni beleqa iintengiso zeBlack Friday. Uluntu kufuneka lukhumbule ukuba oku kungumngcipheko omkhulu kwaye kufuneka kuphetshwe ukuba kunokwenzeka ukuthintela ukunwena kweCOVID -19.

Ukuba kunyanzelekile uyokuthenga izinto zamaxabiso aphantsi zeBlack Friday, qiniseka ukuba uwathatha onke amanyathelo okhuseleko xa ungena phakathi kweenginginya zabantu:

  • Nxiba imaski yakho ngalo lonke ixesha kwaye uphathe enye ukulungiselela unongekehli.
  • Ziphephe iindawo ezinabant’ abaninzi nezixineneyo. Zibekele elinye ixesha lokuyothenga kule mpelaveki yeBlack Friday apho bazakube bebambalwa khona abantu ukuze ukwazi ukugcina umgama osisithuba se-5m phakathi kwakho nabany’ abantu.
  • Zama ukuthenga kwi-Intanethi kangangoko kunokwenzeka – zifumaneka ngamaxabiso aphantsi nafanayo naxa uye evenkileni izinto ezithengiswayo ngeBlack Friday.
  • Sanithayiza! Sanithayiza! Sanithayiza! Phatha eyakho isanithayiza uze uyisebenzise xa ungena naxa uphuma evenkileni.

 Malunga nezibonelelo zeCOVID-19 ngesiNgesi, ngesiXhosa, nangesiBhulu, tyelela ku-: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/resources

 Stay safe. Move forward.
Hlala ukhuselekile. Yiya phambili.
Bly veilig. Gaan voort.

COVID-19-VEILIGEHID: SWARt VRYDAG EN VEILIGHEID IN SKARE

Vandeesweek gaan ’n groot menigte winskopiejagters die winkels vir Swart Vrydag-uitverkopings bestorm. Die publiek moet onthou dat hierdie ’n hoë-risiko-aktiwiteit is en dat mense dit indien moontlik moet vermy om die verspreiding van COVID -19 te voorkom.

Indien jy jou Swart Vrydag-aanbiedinge moet kry, moet jy seker maak dat alle veiligheidsmaatreëls getref word wanneer jy die skare betree:

  • Dra jou masker te alle tye en hou ’n ekstra masker byderhand vir ingeval.
  • Vermy vertrekke vol mense en ingeperkte ruimtes. Beplan om hierdie Swart Vrydag-naweek winkels toe te gaan wanneer daar minder skare is sodat jy ’n veilige afstand van 1.5 m kan handhaaf.
  • Probeer om soveel as moontlik aanlyn te koop – Swart Vrydag-aanbiedings wat jy aanlyn kry, is net so goed soos in die winkel.
  • Ontsmet! Ontsmet! Ontsmet! Neem jou eie ontsmettingsmiddel saam en gebruik dit wanneer jy by die winkel ingaan en weer wanneer jy dit verlaat.

Besoek gerus  https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/resources vir meer COVID-19 bronne in Engels, isiXhosa en Afrikaans.

Stay safe. Move forward.
Hlala ukhuselekile. Yiya phambili.
Bly veilig. Gaan voort.